US3143078A

US3143078A - Well pump

Info

Publication number: US3143078A
Application number: US179565A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jonathan C Gaslow; Doran B Harney; Wilburn O Shepherd
Original assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
Current assignee: Dresser Industries Inc
Priority date: 1962-03-14
Filing date: 1962-03-14
Publication date: 1964-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 1981-08-04

Description

Al1g- 4, 1964 J. c. GAsLow ETAL 3,143,078

WELL PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 14. 1962 United States Patent O 3,143,078 WELL PUMP Jonathm C. Gaslow, South Gate, Daran B. Harney,

Downey, and Wilbnrn Q. Shepherd, Whittier, Calif.,

assigner-s to Dresser Industries, Inc., Dalias, Tern, a

corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 179,565 i (lairns. (Cl. 163-87) This invention relates generally to fluid pumps and relates more particularly to turbo-lift pumps.

While the invention has particular utility in connection with centrifugal pumps for oil wells and the like, and is shown and described in such connection, it is to be understood that its utility is not confined thereto.

As is well known, various problems and difficulties are encountered in providing centrifugal pumps for oil wells and the like that will meet the various conditions found in such wells. For example, difficulty has been encountered in providing suitable balancing means for the turbine and pump unit and it is an object of the present invention to provide a turbo-pump having balancing means which will overcome said difficulty.

It is another object of the invention to provide balancing means for a turbo-lift pump which will operate effectively and will be free of sand or other foreign abrasive materials which have heretofore been a problem in oil well pumps.

it is still another object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character wherein the balancing system discharges into the produced stream, thereby providing increased eiiiciency.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein pump speed for most eihcient operation may be readily provided.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide apparatus of this character wherein special lubricating means is not required.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which is not affected by high temperatures found in many wells.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein the speed of the hydraulic driven unit can be varied to make the pump suit the well conditions by adg'usting the drive iluid pressure and capacity.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character wherein the unit can be adjusted to provide the most economical pumping system.

in some wells there is a considerable amount of gas produced at varying quantities and it is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus which will prevent gas locking in such wells.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character which does not require a special coupling between the power means or motor and the pump.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that is small and compact.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that is relatively simple in construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that is highly eiiicient and reliable.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this character that has a relatively broad range of production capacities.

A still further object of the invention is to provide ice apparatus of this character that can operate at maximum efficiency regardless of changes in the liquid level in the well.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufficiently referred to in connection with the following detailed descriptionof the accompanying drawings, which represent certain embodiments. After considering these examples, skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made without departing from the principles disclosed and we contemplate the employment of any structures, elements, or modes of operation that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a turbine driven pump unit embodying the present invention installed in an oil well;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the turbine driven pump unit;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. l but showing an alternative arrangement of the inventiomand FIG. 4 is a similar view showing still another alternative arrangement.

Referring more particularly to FIG. l, there is diagrammatically shown oil well apparatus embodying the present invention. A casing il) is shown installed in an oil well andat the upper end of the casing there is a well head 11. Operably disposed within the casing it) is a turbo-pump, indicated generally at l2, which is of smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the casing, said turbo-pump being secured in the casing in any well known manner. The upper end portion of the turbopump, indicated generally at 14, is connected to a source of fluid under pressure by means of a conduit l5 which extends upwardly from the turbo-pump through the Well head 1l and has a connection 16 at its upper end with a source of pressure fluid. Pressure fluid may be supplied from any suitable well known source, such as a pump, not shown.

The lower portion of the turbo-pump, indicated generally at 18, comprises the pump portion receiving huid from the well through a strainer i9 which extends through a packer 2li which seals off the upper portion of the casing from the lower portion.

Fluid from below the packer enters the pump through the strainer and is discharged through openings 21 in the casing of the turbo-pump. The Viluid from the pump follows thepathindicated by the broken-line arrows 22 and when said iiuid passes from said openings 21 it ows upwardly in Ythe space between the turbo-pump and the conduit l5, thence to the well head, from which it is discharged through the conduit 24 for discharge in storage means.

Pressure fluid delivered to the conduit 15 flows down through said conduit to the turbine and drives same which, in turn, drives the pump, as will be more particularly pointed out hereinafter. The power uid carried down through the conduit 15 to the turbine is discharged therefrom through -the openings 2l, the path of said power duid is indicated by the broken-line arrows 26 and the arrows 27. This discharged fluid also ilows upwardly within the casing in the space between said casing and the turbopump and conduit l5, said power iluid and production fluid mingling and flowing to the storage means through the conduit 24.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the turbo-pump is shown in greater detail.

Referring to FIG. 2, the turbo-pump 12 comprises a cylindrical case or housing 30 of smaller outside diameter than the inside diameterfof the well casing lil. At each end the pump casing or housing 30 is provided with an enlarged diameter portion 31 which extends inwardly from the adjacent end of said housing and inwardly thereof is an internally threaded portion 32. At the upper end of said housing there is a turbine inlet head 33 having the same outside diameter as the outside diameter of the pump casing or housing 30, said turbine inlet head having a reduced diameter portion 34 having external threads 35 screwed into the adjacent internal threads 32 of the casing 30. Sealing means is provided between the reduced diameter portion 34 of the turbine inlet head and the adjacent enlarged portion of the pump casing or housing 30, said sealing means comprising an O-ring 36 disposed in an external annular groove provided therefor in said reduced diameter portion 34. It is to be understood, of course, that any other suitable sealing means may be employed.

An internally threaded bore 38 extends downwardly into the turbine inlet head 33 from its upper end for threadable reception of the externally threaded lower end 39 of the power fluid tubing 15. Below the threaded bore portion 38 there is an extension 40 of said bore below which is a reduced diameter recess 41 which has subs-tantially the same diameter as the internal diameter of the tubing 15, there being a passage 42 which extends from the recess 41 downwardly and outwardly and opens at the lower end of said turbine inlet head.

Reduced diameter portion 35 of the turbine inlet head is provided with a downwardly extending reduced diameter portion 44 having a recess 45 in the lower end thereof and there is an annular shoulder 46 which extends inwardly from the periphery of the reduced diameter portion 34, said shoulder being normal to the axis of the turbine inlet head 33.

Below the turbine inlet head, indicated generally at 48, which includes an annular body portion or turbine inlet cover 49 fitted within the pump casing or housing 3), at its upper end, there is an upstanding peripheral ange 50, the upper end of said flange engaging the shoulder 46 of the turbine inlet head.

A cylindrical recess 52 extends downwardly from the upper end of the turbine inlet cover 49 and receives the lower end portion of the reduced diameter part 44 of the turbine inlet head, the lower end of said reduced Adiameter portion 44 being spaced upwardly of the bottom of said recess 52, to thereby provide a balancing fluid chamber. There is a counterbore 54 in the turbine inlet cover at the upper end of the recess 52 to provide a fluid connection between the passage 42 in the turbine inlet head and a passage S which extends downwardly and outwardly of the turbine inlet cover into the annular space 56 between a reduced diameter portion 57 which depends downwardly from the body portion 49 of the turbine inlet cover. An axial bore 58 extends downwardly from the chamber 52. The lower end of the reduced diameter portion 57 is provided with a shallow recess 59 in its lower end. About -the bore 58 there is a raised shoulder 62, the outside diameter of said shoulder being spaced from the circumferential wall of the chamber 52, said shoulder 62 being normal to the axis of the turbo-pump mechanism.

Chamber 52 has a radially extending outlet passage 63 which terminates at its outer end in an annular external groove 64 which is in register with an outlet opening 65 in the pump casing or housings 30. Opening 65 is inclined upwardly and outwardly.

The opposite end of the pump casing or housing 30 is closed by a pump inlet head 70 which has a reduced diameter portion 71 extending into the adjacent end portion of said casing or housing 30. Reduced diameter portion 71 is provided with external threads 72 screwed into the adjacent internal threads 32 of the casing 30. Sealing means is provided between the reduced diameter portion 71 of the pump inlet head and the adjacent enlarged portion of the casing or housing 30, said sealing means comprising an O-ring 73 disposed in an external annular groove provided therefor in said reduced diameter portion 71. It is to be understood, of course, that any other suitable sealing means may be employed.

Pump inlet head 70 is provided with a threaded or tapped bore 74 which extends upwardly in said head for threadable reception of an externally threaded upward end portion or pin 75 of the strainer 19. From the bore 74 there is a bore or passage 76 having an outlet portion 77 at the upper end of said pump inlet head.

Both the turbine and the pump may have a plurality of stages, the number of stages depending on various factors of any particular installation, such as the pressure and capacity of the driving fluid, the rpm., and the pressure and capacity required of the pumping unit. As shown, the turbine is provided with three stages and the pump is provided with three stages.

Adjacent and upwardly of the discharge openings 21 there is an intermediate cover 81 and between saidintermediate cover and the turbine inlet cover are covers 82 and 83. Below the intermediate cover 81 there is a pump discharge cover 84 and between said pump discharge cover 84 and the pump inlet head there are

covers

85 and 86.

The covers have axially aligned openings therein and have chambers which house the impellcrs of the turbine and pump, respectively, the turbine impellers are indicated at 88, S9 and 90, respectively in the

covers

81, 82 and 83, while the pump impellcrs are indicated at 92, 93 and 94 in the respective covers 84, and 86.

The impellcrs are secured to a shaft 95 arranged axially of the mechanism. Each of the impellcrs is provided with a hub portion 96 which is received in respective openings provided therefor in the covers and said impellers are secured to the shaft in the usual well known manner by impeller locking sleeves 97.

Shaft 95 has an externally threaded upper end portion 98 and below said threaded portion 98 is an outwardly extending annular flange 99 spaced from said threaded portion 98 and receiving thereon a balancing disc or element 100, which is disposed in the balancing chamber 52, said disc being of somewhat smaller external diameter than the internal diameter of said disc and having a depending annular flange 101 which normally rests on shoulder 62 at the bottom of said chamber 52. Disc 100 also has a depending reduced diameter portion 103 which extends downwardly in the axial bore 58 of the turbine inlet cover and is provided with a recess 104 in which the hub of the impeller extends. At the upper end of the recess 104 there is a recess provided for the ange 99. A lock nut 108 is screwed onto the threaded portion 9S of the shaft to secure the balancing disc on said shaft between the collar or flange 99 and said nut 108.

The impellcrs are all operably mounted in their respective covers and it will be noted that while said irnpellers are at a downward position they may move upwardly a limited amount in their respective impeller chambers, as the balancing disc moves upwardly under pressure at the under side thereof, as will be more particularly described hereinafter. It is also to be noted that the impeller covers have fluid passages therein so that power fluid may enter the covers of the turbine so as to act upon the impellcrs thereof and drive the shaft which thereupon drives the pump impellcrs in the pump covers. The pump covers also have fluid passages therein for transmission of uid actuated by the pump impellcrs.

When power fluid is forced down the power fluid tubing 15 it passes through the portions 40 and 41 of the turbine inlet head, through the passage 42 therein, into the annular space 54 and thence into the passage 55 in the turbine inlet cover 49. The fluid thereupon passes through the annulus 56 into the rst inwardly extending vaned diffuser passages of the turbine inlet cover 49 to thereupon act upon the impeller 90 of the turbine to cause same to rotate. This power fluid then passes downwardly from the impeller into the space provided IB therefor in the cover 83 of the next adjacent turbine and outwardly to the annulus provided therefor as a fluid transfer portion of cover 83. From this annulus the power iiuid ows inwardly through the vaned diifuser passages or openings provided therefor in the cover 83 to act upon the impeller 89. The iluid follows a similar course to the next impeller 88, and thence flows down- Wardly and passes from the turbine portion of the mechanism through the outlet ports 21 and thence upwardly in the annulus between the turbo-pump casing 30 and upwardly in the well in the annulus 11i) between the tubing 15 and the casing 10. This fluid then passes through the well head and out the conduit 24 to a suitable storage container or the like.

Rotation of the pump impellers will draw production fluid through the strainer 19, passage 76 of the pump inlet head and outlet opening 77 into the central portion of the adjacent impeller 94. The production fluid will be forced outwardly by the impeller 94 through the outwardly extending openings provided therefor and into the diffuser annulus with which said outwardly extending openings or passages are connected. From the diffuser annulus the duid will flow inwardly again through the passage in cover 86 into the central portion of the next impeller, 93. The fluid will then be forced outwardly by the impeller 93 and will follow a similar course to the impeller 92 which will force the production lluid outwardly again into the diifuser annulus provided therefor in the cover 84 and thence such production fluid will ow through the discharge openings 21 in the casing 3i). The production fluid discharged by the impeller 92 will mingle in the adjacent annulus with the power fluid from the impeller 88 and will flow through the discharge openings 21 with such power fluid. The mixed uid will, of course, follow the same course upwardly that has been described in connection with the flow of the power fluid to the production head and conduit 24.

Balancing of the mechanism is effected by the transmission of power iiuid which enters the cover 49 through the inwardly extending ports thereof which are connected with the annulus 56, flows upwardly into the recess 59 of the turbine inlet cover and thence through the space between the portion 163 of the balance disc and adjacent surface of the opening 58 and thence into the annulus 112 in the underside of the disc'100. It is to be understood, of course, that the part 103 of the balance disc 1% has a relatively loose tit in the opening 58, so that the power fluid may pass upwardly into the annulus 112 and exert an upward force on the disc 169 to balance the downward force of the impeller mechanism. When the pressure of the power uid in the annulus 112 exceeds the downward force of the impeller mechanism the disc 160 will be raised sufficiently to permit escape of pressure iluid in the annulus 112 into the chamber 52. The upward movement of the balance disc 160 will effect a corresponding upward movement of the shaft 95 and the impellers attached thereto and when the pressure is relieved in the annulus 112 by such upward movement the shaft and impellers will move downwardly again to the normal position. Pressure uid that has escaped into the chamber 52 will pass outwardly through the passage 63, annulus 64 and outlet passage or port 65, into the annulus between the turbo-pump and the casing 10, and thence upwardly to the well head and conduit 24. Since the power iluid is free of foreign materials, such as would have an abrasive effect on the various parts of the mechanism, and such power iiuid is used for the balancing mechanism, it will be apparent'that wear on the balancing mechanism of the present invention will be at a minimum. It will also be noted that the balancing system discharges into the produced stream thereby providing for increased eiciency of the apparatus or mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 3, the casing`1tl is provided with a plurality of perforations 129 through which oil will flow into the casing 1t). The arrangement shown in FIG. 3 requires no packer and the oil and the like entering the casing 10 through the openings 120 will pass through the strainer 19 and into the pump portion of the turbo-pump 12. The upper portion of the turbopump mechanism comprises a turbine 14a and the lower portion 18a comprises the pump. ft is to be noted that the external diameter of the turbine 14a is smaller than the outside diameter of the pump 13a and there is a casing 121 which extends downwardly in the casing 10. Casing 121 is of smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of casing 16B and the lower end of casing 121 is secured by any suitable well known means to the upper end of the pump 18a.

Concentrically disposed within the casing 121 is dtis-l posed tubing 124 which carries power fluid downwardly into the turbine 14a, the lower end of tubing 124 having a connection at 125 with the upstand-ing conduit 126 of the turbine 14a. The connection 125 may be of any suitable well known type. Tubing 124 has an outside diameter substantially smaller than the inside diameter of the casing 121 and is held in concentric position within casing 121 by arcuate flanges 127 which are annularly spaced apart on said tubing 124. With this arrangement power ilu-id and production fluid are mixed and discharge from the ports`123 of the turbo-pump mechanism and the nuxed fluid rises to the well head in the annulus 13) between the turbine 14a and the tubing 124 `and the casing 121, the fluid thus carried to the well head being conducted away to any suitable disposal point in the usual well known manner.

Referring to FIG. 4, the turbo-pump 12 is similar to that shown in FIGS. l and 2 and the discharge ports 21 discharge the mixed power uid and production fluid into ta casing 134 which is secured at its lower end to the casing of the turbo-pump. Casing 134 may be secured to the casing of the turbo-pump by welding or any other suitable means. At its upper end casing 134 is enlarged by an offset portion 135 and there is a sealing element 136 in the upper end port-ion of the casing, including the part 135. Power fluid is conducted downwardly through the conduit 15 to the turbine and passes through the seal 136 which provides a seal 4about said tubing to prevent the escape of fluid from the casingpast said tubing. Communicating with the offset part 135 of the casing, there is a discharge conduit 14) having its lower end extending into the offset part 135 of said casing 134 to carry away the uid discharged from the turbine and pump. Seal 135 also provides sealing means to prevent the escape of fluid from housing '134 past the conduit 140. In this arrangement `a packer yat the lower end of the turbo-pump is unnecessary, as in the case of the arrangement shown in FIG. 3.

The invention vand its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction 'and arrangement or the parts of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing its material advantages, the embodiments hereinbefore described being merely for purposes of illustration.

We claim:

l. Turbo-ltift apparatus for installation in wells, comprising:

an elongated, hollow, cylindrical housing adapted to be lowered into a well casing;

a first inlet at the top end of said housing for` introduction of power fluid thereinto;

a second inlet adjacent the bottom end of said housing for intake of production fluid thereinto;

an elongated shaft coaxially rotatably mounted in said housing;

a turbine impeller coaxially secured to an upper portion of said shaft;

a pump impeller coaxially secured to a lower portion of shaft;

means within said housing defining passages for fiow of pressure fluid downwardly from said first inlet drivingly through said tur-bine impeller to an intermediate interi-or portion of said housing below said turbine impeller;

means within said casing defining passages for flow of production fluid upwardly from said second inlet through said pump impeller to said intermediate interior portion of said housing yabove said pump impeller;

a discharge port extending laterally directly through said housing from said intermediate interior portion of said housing to the exterior thereof;

and means for balancing axial thrust tending to displace said shaft and said impeller therein axially of said housing, including:

a cylindrical chamber coaxially positioned in the upper portion of said housing, said chamber having a lower, coaxial entrance bore in com,- munication at its lower end with said first inlet, said entrance bore being of reduced inside diameter relative to the upper adjoining portion of said chamber, thereby forming an upwardly facing, annular chamber shoulder in said chamber surrounding said entrance bore,

a balancing member fixed coaxially on the upper portion of said shaft, said balancing member having an upper disk portion of an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of said entrance bore, and a depending cylindrical hub portion of reduced outside diameter relative to said disk portion, thereby forming a downwardly facing annular disk shoulder at the juncture of said disk and hub portions, said disk portion being positioned coaxially in said chamber with said hub portion extending therefrom coaxially through said entrance bore, whereby the said downwardly facing annular shoulder of said disk is positioned over said upwardly facing annular chamber shoulder, the axial separation therebetween being variable in accordance with axial displacement of said balance means and said shaft relative to said chamber,

and duct means connecting the said chamber to the `adjacent exterior portion of said housing, whereby power fluid may flow from said first inlet, between said shaft and said bore and through said axial separation into said chamber and thence out through said duct means, whereby the said disk portion may be subjected to fluid pressure from said first inlet with a resulting axial force thereon which varies in accordance with the said axial separation of said disk shoulder and said chamber shoulder as determined by axial displacement of said shaft from a predetermined position relative to said housing.

2. Turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, comprising:

an elongated, hollow, cylindrical housing of substantially uniform outside diameter adapted to be lowered into a well casing;

a first inlet at the top end of said housing for introduction of power fluid thereinto;

an elongated shaft coaxially rotatably mounted in said housing;

a plurality of turbine impellers coaxially secured to an upper portion of said shaft;

a plurality of pump impellers coaxially secured to a lower portion of said shaft;

means within said housing defining passages for flow of pressure fluid downwardly from said first inlet successively drivingly through said turbine impellers to an intermediate interior portion of said housing below said turbine impellers;

means within said casing defining passages for flow of production fiuid upwardly from said second inlet successively through said pump impellers to said intermediate interior portion ofV said housing above said pump impellers;

a discharge port extending through said housing from said intermediate interior portion of said housing to the exterior thereof;

and means for balancing axial thrust tending to displace said shaft and said impellers thereon axially of said housing, including:

a cylindrical chamber coaxially positioned in the upper portion of said housing, said chamber having a lower, coaxial entrance bore in communication at its lower end with said first inlet, said entrance bore being of reduced inside diameter relative to the upper adjoining portion of said chamber, thereby forming an upwardly facing, annular chamber shoulder in said chamber surrounding said entrance bore,

a balancing member fixed coaxially on the upper portion of said shaft, said balancing member having an upper disk portion of an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of said entrance bore, thereby forming a downwardly facing annular disk shoulder positioned over said upwardly facing annular chamber shoulder, the axial separation therebetween being variable in accordance with axial displacement of said balance means and said shaft relative to said chamber,

and duct means connecting the said chamber to the adjacent exterior portion of said housing, whereby power fluid may flow from said first inlet, between said shaft and said bore and through said axial separation into said chamber and thence out through said duct means, whereby the said disk portion may be subjected to fluid pressure from said fiuid inlet with a resulting axial force thereon which varies in accordance with the said axial separation of said disk shoulder and said chamber shoulder as determined by axial displacement of said shaft from a predetermined position relative to said housing.

3. Turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, comprising:

an elongated shaft coaxially rotatably mounted in said housing;

means within said housing defining passages for flow of pressure fiuid downwardly from said first inlet successively drivngly through said turbine impellers to an intermediate interior portion of said housing below said turbine impellers;

means within said casing defining passages for flow of production fluid upwardly from said second inlet successively through said pump impellers to said intermediate interior portion of said housing above said pump impellers;

a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart discharge ports extending through said housing from said intermediate interior portion of said housing to the exterior thereof;

and means for balancing axial thrust tending to displace said shaft and said impellers axially of said housing, including:

a cylindrical chamber coaxially positioned in the upper portion of said housing, said chamber having a lower, coaxial entrance bore in cornmunication at its lower end with said first inlet, and through which the upper end of said shaft extends into said chamber, said bore being of reduced inside diameter relative to the adjoining upper portion of said chamber, thereby forming anupwardly facing annular chamber shoulder surrounding the said upper end of said shaft,

a disk member fixed coaxially to the upper end of said shaft within said chamber and having an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of said entrance bore, whereby the lower marginal portion of said disk is seatable upon the said upwardly facing annular chamber shoulder and the axial separation therebetween is variable in accordance with axial displacement of said shaft relative to said housing,

and duct means connecting the said chamber to the adjacent exterior portion of said housing,

whereby fiuid from said first inlet may fiowV therefrom between the said shaft and said bore and through said axial separation into said chamber and thence out through said duct, whereby the said disk member may be subjected to fiuid pressure from said first inlet with a resulting axial force thereon which varies in accordance with the said axial separation of said marginal portion of said disk and said chamber shoulder as determined by axial displacement of said shaft from a predetermined position relative to said housing.

4. Turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, comprising:

an elongated shaft coaxially rotatably mounted in said housing;

means within said housing defining passages for iiow of pressure fluid downwardly from said first inlet successively drivingly through said turbine impellers to an intermediate interior portion of said housing below said turbine impellers;

means within said casing defining passages for fiow of production fluid upwardly from said second inlet successively through said pump impellers to said intermediate interior portion of said housing above said pump impellers;

a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart discharge ports extending laterally directly through said housing from said intermediate interior portion of said housing to the exterior thereof;

and means for balancing axial thrust tending to displace said shaft axially of said housing, including:

a cylindrical chamber coaxially positioned in the upper portion of said housing, said chamber having a lower, coaxial entrance bore in communication at its lower end with said first inlet, and through which the upper end of said shaft extends into said chamber, said bore being of reduced inside diameter relative to the adjoining upper portion of said chamber, but of greater l@ inside diameter than the outside diameter of said shaft, thereby forming an upwardly facing annular chamber shoulder surrounding the'said upper end of said shaft and providing a clearance space between said bore and said shaft,

a disk member fixed coaxially to the upper end of said shaft within said chamber and'having an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of said entrance bore, said disk having a dependent, peripheral, annular flange, whereby the lower edge of said flange is seatable upon the said upwardly facing annular chamber shoulder and the axial separation therebetween is variable in accordance with axial displacement of said shaft relative to said housing,

and duct means connecting thesaid chamber to the adjacent exterior portion of said housing, whereby fluid from said first inlet may flow therefrom through said clearance space between the said shaft and said bore and through said axial separation into said chamber and thence out through said duct, whereby the said disk member may be subjected to fluid pressure from said first inlet with a resulting axial force thereon which varies in accordance with the said axial separation of said edge of said fiange and said chamber shoulder as determined by axial displacement of said shaft from a predetermined position relative to said housing.

5. In turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, ap-

paratus comprising:

an elongated, hollow, cylindrical housing adapted to be lowered into a well bore hole, said housing including a cylindrical case;

a first inlet head closing the top end of said case and having a first coaxial inlet at the top thereof for introduction of power fiuid thereinto;

a second head closing the bottom end of said case;

said case intermediate said inlet heads being of substantially uniform inside diameter;

a yplurality of separate generally cylindrically shaped turbine cover assemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially superimposed relation within said case, each of said cover assemblies having at Vone end thereof an annular base portion with a coaxially central impeller discharge opening therein for receiving fluid discharged axially from an adjacent irnpeller, at the other end an annular diffuser portion surrounding and forming a coaxial, generally cylindrical impeller chamber, and axially intermediate said base portion and diffuser portion an annular separator forming a radial passage portion interconnecting said impeller discharge opening and said diffuser portion;

an elongated shaft extending coaxially through said cover assemblies;

an impeller rotatably fixed to said shaft in each of said impeller chambers and formed to receive fluid inwardly from the diffuser portion thereof and to discharge same axially through the impeller discharge opening of an adjacent base portion;

means Within said first inlet head for conducting power fluid from said first inlet to the diffuser portion of the uppermost one of said cover assemblies;

and a discharge port extending laterally through an intermediate portion of said case communicating with the discharge opening of the base portion of one of said cover assemblies.

6. ln turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, ap-

paratus comprising:

a first inlet head closing the top end of said case and having a first coaxial inlet at the top thereof for introduction of power iiuid thereinto;

a second inlet head closing the bottom end of said case and having a second coaxial inlet at the bottom thereof for intake of production liuid thereinto, said case intermediate said inlet heads being of substantially uniform inside diameter;

a plurality of separate, generally annular shaped turbine cover assemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially superimposed relation within the upper portion of said case, each of said cover assemblies having formed therein a coaxial, generaily cylindrical turbine impeller chamber;

a plurality of generally annular shaped centrifugal pump cover assemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially superimposed relation within the lower portion of said case, each of said cover assemblies having formed therein a coaxial, generally, cylindrical pump impeller chamber;

an elongated shaft extending coaxialiy through said turbine and pump cover assemblies;

a plurality of turbine impellers rotatably fixed to said shaft, one of each in each of said turbine impeller chambers;

a plurality of pump impellers rotatably fixed to said shaft, one of each in each of said pump impeller chambers;

means within the said rst inlet head for conducting power iiuid from said lirst inlet to the uppermost one of said turbine cover assemblies and thence successively drivingly through said turbine cover assemblies and said turbine impellers therein;

means within the said second inlet head for conducting production uid from said second inlet to the lowermost one of said pump cover assemblies and thence successively pumpingly through said pump cover assemblies and said pump impellers therein;

and a discharge port extending laterally through an intermediate portion of said case communicating with the discharge of the lowermost one of said turbine cover assemblies and with the uppermost one of said pump cover assemblies.

7. In turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, apparatus according to claim 6 in which annular fluid seal means is provided encircling each of said turbine cover assemblies and pump cover assemblies in axially slidable sealing engagement with the inside surface of said cylindrical case.

8. In turbo-lift apparatus for installation in Wells, apparatus comprising:

a rst inlet head closing the top end of said case and having a rst coaxial inlet at the top thereof for introduction of power fluid thereinto;

a second inlet head closing the bottom end of said .case and having a second coaxial inlet at the bottom thereof for intake of production fluid thereinto, said case intermediate said inlet heads being of substantially uniform inside diameter;

a plurality of separate, generally annular shaped turbine cover assemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially superimposed relation within the upper portion of said case, each of said cover assemblies having formed therein a coaxial, generally cylindrical turbine impeller chamber;

a plurality of generally annular shaped centrifugal pump cover assemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially superimposed relation within the lower portion of said case, each of said cover assemblies having formed therein a coaxial, generally cylindrical pump impeller chamber;

said turbine cover assemblies and said pump cover assemblies being clamped in said coaxially superimposed relation within said case by and between said first inlet head and said second inlet head;

an elongated shaft extending coaxially through said turbine and pump cover assemblies;

a plurality of turbine impellers rotatably fixed to said shaft, one of each in each of said turbine impeller chambers; K

means within the said lirst inlet head for conducting power fluid from said rst inlet to the uppermost one of said turbine cover assemblies and thence successively drivingly through said turbine cover assemblies and said turbine impellers therein;

means within the said second inlet head for conducting production iiuid from said second inlet to the lowermost one of said pump cover assemblies and thence successively pumpingly through said pump cover assemblies and said pump impellers therein;

9. In turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, ap-

paratus comprising:

a first inlet head closing the top end of said case and having a first coaxial inlet at the top thereof for introduction of power fluid thereinto;

a second inlet head closing the bottom end of said case and having a second coaxial inlet at the bottom thereof intake of production fluid thereinto, said case intermediate said inlet heads being of substantially uniform inside diameter;

a plurality of separate, generally cyiindrically shaped turbine cover assemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially, end to end, superimposed relation within the upper portion of said case, each of said cover assemblies having at one end thereof an annular base portion with a coaxially central discharge opening therein for receiving fluid discharged axially from an adjacent impeller, at the other end an annular diffuser portion surrounding and forming a coaxial generally cylindrical turbine impeller chamber, and axially intermediate said base portion and diffuser portion an annular separator forming a radial passage portion interconnecting said central discharge opening and said diffuser portion;

a plurality of generally cylindrically shaped centrifugal pump cover assemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially, end to end, superimposed relation within the lower portion of said case, each of said cover assemblies having at one end thereof an annular base portion with a coaxially central inlet opening therein for receiving iiuid axially into an adjacent impeller, at the other end an annular diiTuser portion surrounding and forming a coaxial generally cylindrical pump impeller chamber and for receiving tiuid discharged radially from an impeller therein, and axially intermediate said cover portion and diffuser portion an annular separator forming a radial passage portion interconnecting said inlet opening and said diffuser portion;

an impeller rotatably fixed to said shaft in each of said turbine impeller chambers and formed to receive fluid radially inwardly from its respective diifuser portion and to discharge same axially through the central discharge opening of an adjacent base portion;

an impeller rotatably xed to said shaft is each of said pump impeller chambers and formed to receive uid axially from the central inlet opening of an adjacent cover assembly and to discharge same radially through the diffuser portion of its impeller chamber;

means within the said first inlet head for conducting power uid from said rst inlet to the diffuser portion of an upper one of said turbine stator assemblies;

means Within the said second inlet head for conducting production fluid from said second inlet to the inlet opening of a lower one of said pump cover assemblies;

and a discharge port extending laterally directly through an intermediate portion of said case communicating with the discharge opening of the base portion of one of the turbine cover assemblies and with the diffuser portion of one of the pump cover assemblies.

10. In turbo-lift apparatus for installation in Wells,

apparatus according to claim 8 in which annular fluid seal means is provided encircling each of said turbine cover assemblies and said pump cover assemblies in aXially slidable sealing engagement with the inside surface of said cylindrical case.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,609,306 Peterson Dec. 7, 1926 1,610,454 Lawaczeck Dec. 14, 1926 1,811,948 Loomis et al. June 30, 1931 2,726,606 Davidson Dec. 13, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 244,176 Great Britain Dec. 14, 1925

Claims

1. TURBO-LIFT APPARATUS FOR INSTALLATION IN WELLS, COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED, HOLLOW, CYLINDRICAL HOUSING ADAPTED TO BE LOWERED INTO A WELL CASING; A FIRST INLET AT THE TOP END OF SAID HOUSING FOR INTRODUCTION OF POWER FLUID THEREINTO; A SECOND INLET ADJACENT THE BOTTOM END OF SAID HOUSING FOR INTAKE OF PRODUCTION FLUID THEREINTO; AN ELONGATED SHAFT COAXIALLY ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING; A TURBINE IMPELLER COAXIALLY SECURED TO AN UPPER PORTION OF SAID SHAFT; A PUMP IMPELLER COAXIALLY SECURED TO A LOWER PORTION OF SHAFT; MEANS WITHIN SAID HOUSING DEFINING PASSAGES FOR FLOW OF PRESSURE FLUID DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID FIRST INLET DRIVINGLY THROUGH SAID TURBINE IMPELLER TO AN INTERMEDIATE INTERIOR PORTION OF SAID HOUSING BELOW SAID TURBINE IMPELLER; MEANS WITHIN SAID CASING DEFINING PASSAGES FOR FLOW OF PRODUCTION FLUID UPWARDLY FROM SAID SECOND INLET THROUGH SAID PUMP IMPELLER TO SAID INTERMEDIATE INTERIOR PORTION OF SAID HOUSING ABOVE SAID PUMP IMPELLER; A DISCHARGE PORT EXTENDING LATERALLY DIRECTLY THROUGH SAID HOUSING FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE INTERIOR PORTION OF SAID HOUSING TO THE EXTERIOR THEREOF; AND MEANS FOR BALANCING AXIAL THRUST TENDING TO DISPLACE SAID SHAFT AND SAID IMPELLER THEREIN AXIALLY OF SAID HOUSING, INCLUDING: A CYLINDRICAL CHAMBER COAXIALLY POSITIONED IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID HOUSING, SAID CHAMBER HAVING A LOWER, COAXIAL ENTRANCE BORE IN COMMUNICATION AT ITS LOWER END WITH SAID FIRST INLET, SAID ENTRANCE BORE BEING OF REDUCED INSIDE DIAMETER RELATIVE TO THE UPPER ADJOINING PORTION OF SAID CHAMBER, THEREBY FORMING AN UPWARDLY FACING, ANNULAR CHAMBER SHOULDER IN SAID CHAMBER SURROUNDING SAID ENTRANCE BORE, A BALANCING MEMBER FIXED COAXIALLY ON THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID SHAFT, SAID BALANCING MEMBER HAVING AN UPPER DISK PORTION OF AN OUTSIDE DIAMETER GREATER THAN THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID ENTRANCE BORE, AND A DEPENDING CYLINDRICAL HUB PORTION OF REDUCED OUTSIDE DIAMETER RELATIVE TO SAID DISK PORTION, THEREBY FORMING A DOWNWARDLY FACING ANNULAR DISK SHOULDER AT THE JUNCTURE OF SAID DISK AND HUB PORTIONS, SAID DISK PORTION BEING POSITIONED COAXIALLY IN SAID CHAMBER WITH SAID HUB PORTION EXTENDING THEREFROM COAXIALLY THROUGH SAID ENTRANCE BORE, WHEREBY THE SAID DOWNWARDLY FACING ANNULAR SHOULDER OF SAID DISK IS POSITIONED OVER SAID UPWARDLY FACING ANNULAR CHAMBER SHOULDER, THE AXIAL SEPARATION THEREBETWEEN BEING VARIABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH AXIAL DISPLACEMENT OF SAID BALANCE MEANS AND SAID SHAFT RELATIVE TO SAID CHAMBER, AND DUCT MEANS CONNECTING THE SAID CHAMBER TO THE ADJACENT EXTERIOR PORTION OF SAID HOUSING, WHEREBY POWER FLUID MAY FLOW FROM SAID FIRST INLET, BETWEEN SAID SHAFT AND SAID BORE AND THROUGH SAID AXIAL SEPARATION INTO SAID CHAMBER AND THENCE OUT THROUGH SAID DUCT MEANS, WHEREBY THE SAID DISK PORTION MAY BE SUBJECTED TO FLUID PRESSURE FROM SAID FIRST INLET WITH A RESULTING AXIAL FORCE THEREON WHICH VARIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAID AXIAL SEPARATION OF SAID DISK SHOULDER AND SAID CHAMBER SHOULDER AS DETERMINED BY AXIAL DISPLACEMENT OF SAID SHAFT FROM A PREDETERMINED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID HOUSING.